The 10 Hottest Cities to Hang Out in the UK

Travel Supermarket asked self-confessed hipster blogger Adam Groffman, from Travels of Adam, and UK travel blogger Emily Ray, from The Cosy Traveller, to put together comprehensive guides for their top 10 trendy neighbourhoods in the UK and Europe.

Using knowledge gained from their extensive travels, Adam and Emily have selected the hottest sights to check out across these areas, from cool cafes and cutting-edge art projects to the best spots for Instagram snaps, to help you make your mind up about where to visit next.

Here's the rundown of the top 10.

ANCOATS MANCHESTER

BEST SPOTS FOR A CAFFEINE HIT

Ancoats Coffee Co., based within a Grade II-listed former cotton mill, provides the perfect space to not just sip coffee, but experience it. Seeing the coffee roasting process through from bean to cup, the cafe serves only the best Arabica coffees, all sourced ethically and seasonally. Caffeine addicts can be seen propping up the wooden tables seven days a week, all to the backdrop of an industrial chic interior design.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES TO VISIT

Stroll along the canal and you’ll be inundated with scenic spots which highlight the juxtaposition of the old and new parts of the quarter. Bonus points if you manage to make it there for sunrise or sunset!

MOUTH-WATERING MUST-EATS/DRINKS

From lemon drizzle cake to homemade brownies, the cosy Cafe Cotton offers plenty of delicious treats. The Scandinavian-style cafe is popular with nomadic freelancers as well as nearby office workers who queue up around the block for a lunchtime Cotton sandwich. Head to Rudy’s Pizza for pizza classics and panuozzo recipes, with each dish lovingly created from scratch.

KEY FACTS

Transport links: A ten minute walk to Shudehill Light Rail Station, with trains to Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly and VictoriaFamous for: Its role in the industrial revolution as "the world's first industrial suburb". Avg cost of hotel room per night: £79

LEITH EDINBURGH

BEST SPOTS FOR A CAFFEINE HIT

Pet-friendly Printworks Coffee dazzles in two departments: the artisanal coffee and the devilishly scrumptious selection of cakes.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES TO VISIT

Visit The Shore on a crisp winter morning to get a shot of Leith’s historic buildings reflected in the canal – you’ll might find yourself wondering whether you’ve accidentally gone too far south and ended up in Amsterdam.

MOUTH-WATERING MUST-EATS/DRINKS

The Ship on The Shore serves up fish-focused masterpieces in elegant surroundings. The Fruits de Mer showpiece fits over a two-tiered stand ready for two people to dive into and comes with a side of champagne.

KEY FACTS

Transport links: Several bus services connect Leith to Edinburgh centre, and Edinburgh airport. The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley, a 20 minute bus ride awayFamous for: Berthing the Royal Yacht Britannia previously owned by the royal family. Avg cost of hotel room per night: £69

DIGBETH BIRMINGHAM

BEST SPOTS FOR A CAFFEINE HIT

Coffee beans from Midlands-based Chartley Coffee are roasted on site at the Yumm Cafe in order to guarantee maximum flavour. The buzzing atmosphere of the cafe attracts a steady stream of customers throughout the day.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES TO VISIT

Every Friday, Digbeth plays host to a street food market called the Digbeth Dining Club. The alternative food dishes make for the perfect Insta shot, with a backdrop of the all-encompassing mix of live events and entertainment. Many dishes are served up in very creative ways, such as on makeshift BBQs in the back of cars!

MOUTH-WATERING MUST-EATS/DRINKS

The award-winning Warehouse Cafe combines an art exhibition with 100% vegetarian bites ranging from halloumi fish and chips to a raw vegan orange and cashew tart. Fazeley Social is also the place for creatives to visit to meet up and connect, with live music and events supported by a scrumptious menu of cakes, breakfast and lunches.

KEY FACTS

Transport links: Birmingham Coach Station is based in Digbeth, with coaches to all over the country including London. Alternatively Birmingham Moor Street Station is a five minute bus ride from Digbeth with trains to Stratford Upon Avon and London MaryleboneFamous for: Being home to the oldest pub in Birmingham- The Old Crown, dating back to the 14th CenturyAvg cost of hotel room per night: £69

BALTIC TRIANGLE LIVERPOOL

BEST SPOTS FOR A CAFFEINE HIT

Take to the wooden pews of Baltic Bakehouse for a winning combination of artisan bread and independent coffee. As well as a strong caffeine hit, Unit 51 encourages local artists to display their work, while Leaf on Bold Street is a boho tea emporium with virtually every variety available.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES TO VISIT

Whether you’re light on your feet or not, the graffiti-filled New Bird Skate Park provides endless opportunities for a quality Instagram shot. The Botanical Garden also radiates a care-free, bohemian vibe, with hippie decor, flowers in suitcases and a colourful bar that resembles half a VW campervan.

MOUTH-WATERING MUST-EATS/DRINKS

Vintage-inspired The Baltic Social boasts shabby-chic leather sofas and wooden floors, but it’s their afternoon tea that provides something truly unique. This alternative afternoon treat features, among other things, a melting middle cheeseburger, mac and cheese balls, Oreo sponge cake and a boozy teapot. A vegetarian option is also on the cards, too.

KEY FACTS

Transport links: Liverpool Central and James St stations are a quick bus ride away, offering national rail services to Kirby and New Brighton. Alternatively the John Lennon Airport is a 30 min bus trip awayFamous for: Being the home of the Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia, named NME's best small festival award in 2014. Avg cost of hotel room per night: £67

PECKHAM LONDON

BEST SPOTS FOR A CAFFEINE HIT

Small White Elephant is an independent espresso bar beloved by locals for its colourful tiled decor, seemingly endless list of hot drinks and a sizeable performance space. The underground Rye Wax cafe is also a great option, containing vinyls, comics and books.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES TO VISIT

If you visit Peckham and don’t Instagram the sunset over the city from Frank’s Rooftop Bar, you basically haven’t been to Peckham. It’s also worth taking a detour to Mission Place to snap the street art from Italian street artist Giacomo Bufarini.

MOUTH-WATERING MUST-EATS/DRINKS

Mediterranean restaurant Artusi serves affordable, seasonal dishes in a chilled-out, stylish setting, while Anderson & Co is all about artisanal coffee and bread in a Scandinavian-style environment.

KEY FACTS

Transport links: Peckham Rye station links Peckham to London Overground with routes to Clapham Junction and Dalston Junction, while Peckham Rye Bus Station has buses to Oxford Circus and King's CrossFamous for: Being the setting of the TV sitcom Only Fools and Horses, and the birthplace of John Boyega, English actor and producer best known for playing Finn in the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Avg cost of hotel room per night: £93

FINNIESTON GLASGOW

BEST SPOTS FOR A CAFFEINE HIT

Resembling a Victorian apothecary on the inside, Seb and Mili is an artisan bakers, cafe and deli all rolled into one. Its unassuming exterior hides a menu of freshly baked breads and pastries, but the real star of the show is its artisan roasts and global ‘guest’ coffees. The Steamie is also the destination for coffee lovers, with nitro coffee (nitrogen-infused, smooth-textured coffee) on tap.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES TO VISIT

The handmade creations at Tantrum Doughnuts, made with such ingredients as ‘blueberry old fashioned, lemon glaze and crystalised basil’ and ‘pistachio and hibiscus’, make the perfect foodie Instagram shot. The ‘A View of Clyde Street’ wall mural by artist Rouge-One found, unsurprisingly, along Clyde Street, is also popular.

MOUTH-WATERING MUST-EATS/DRINKS

Local, seasonal seafood make up the majority of the menu at The Finnieston, with expertly-designed dishes that wouldn’t look out of place in a Michelin-star restaurant. But the real star of the show is the restaurant’s catalogue of gin – currently more than 60 varieties line the shelf!

CLIFTONVILLE/OLD TOWN MARGATE

BEST SPOTS FOR A CAFFEINE HIT

Margate has no shortage of cute, independent cafes, but rustic-themed The Greedy Cow is a town favourite. It’s an excellent place for a spot of people-watching as you sip on a coffee (accompanied by some impressive-looking cakes, of course).

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES TO VISIT

Bristol may have Banksy, but Margate has Stewy – an anonymous stencil graffiti artist whose animal-themed art pops up all over shops in the Old Town. Head to Broad Street to see one of the most iconic pieces of all; an urban fox skulking through the town.

MOUTH-WATERING MUST-EATS/DRINKS

Cliftonville’s Roost is all about its locally sourced produce, from ice cream to fish, and its salted caramel and treacle tarts. Vegetarian options are available but the mouth-watering rotisserie chicken is their speciality.

KEY FACTS

Transport links: The Thanet Loop bus services run, on average, every seven minutes seven days a week while the main Margate train station connects to London Victoria and St. PancrasFamous for: A fashionable seaside resort in the 1730’s, and its association with landscape painter J.M.W turner who lived there for many years. Avg cost of hotel room per night: £47

KELHAM ISLAND SHEFFIELD

BEST SPOTS FOR A CAFFEINE HIT

Locally roasted coffee beans combine with uber-rustic features for a stylish hideaway at The Grind Cafe. A hot beverage is best enjoyed with one of the cafe’s famous breakfast waffles, topped with bacon and maple syrup.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES TO VISIT

Considering its (vague) island status, Instagram shots of Kelham Island are best snapped via bridges over the River Don at sunrise or sunset. Bonus points if you can get Cornish Place or local events venue The Chimney House in shot too.

MOUTH-WATERING MUST-EATS/DRINKS

There’s definitely no shortage of these on Kelham Island! Craft & Dough is trend central, with incredible artisan pizzas made with innovative toppings. Nearby Urban ¼ is the place to go for hand-crafted build-your-own burgers, milk bottle ice shakes and Sheffield Dry Gin.

KEY FACTS

Transport links: The Sheffield Light Rail Station, Shalesmoor, only ten minutes away connects Kelham Island with Meadowhall and HalfwayFamous for: Kelham Island Brewery- founded in 1990 making it the first new independent brewery in Sheffield in almost 100 years. Avg cost of hotel room per night: £42

NORTHERN QUARTER MANCHESTER

BEST SPOTS FOR A CAFFEINE HIT

Doubling up as a coffee shop and a homeware store, Fig + Sparrow is one of the best places in the area to people-watch while sipping on single origin coffees or loose leaf tea. If cat-watching is more your thing, slip into the Cat Cafe for hot and cold drinks while petting the resident felines.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES TO VISIT

First-time visitors need only stroll down Oldham Street to take snaps of all the Northern Quarter is famous for. Just outside Afflecks fashion and lifestyle indoor market is a barrage of street art and the famous Tib Street Horn (literally an abstract sculpture of a massive horn), built to celebrate the area’s creativity. But walk anywhere and you’re more than likely to bump into the quarter’s intricate street art – the area is full of it!

MOUTH-WATERING MUST-EATS/DRINKS

Whatever you do, don’t miss a stop at Home Sweet Home. The old-school American diner-meets-Ikea catalogue feel is made even more out-of-this-world by the burgers and range of sensational cake creations. Likewise, every product available at the Bonbon Chocolate Boutique feels like a real labour of love.

KEY FACTS

Transport links: Main transport links in and out from Manchester Piccadilly station is only 7 mins walk away and Manchester Victoria station is just over ten mins walkFamous for: Its music scene and being the 'mecca for Djs'. Avg cost of hotel room per night: £122

BRUTON SOMERSET

BEST SPOTS FOR A CAFFEINE HIT

The award-winning Bean Shot Coffee cafe takes coffee very seriously indeed. Only the finest beans make it through to the artisan roaster for a sensory experience to remember. There’s also Cole Manor Tea Rooms which wins awards in our eyes both for its freshly ground coffee and its verdant location set within five acres of grounds.

MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES TO VISIT

Classical, vintage-style Instagram shots are up for grabs virtually everywhere. Visit the Piet Oudolf garden at Hauser and Wirth for a patchwork of floral delights or get up early to snap the chocolate-box houses in the town centre.

MOUTH-WATERING MUST-EATS/DRINKS

Meals change daily at the funky Roth Bar & Grill and you can be sure that you’ll be treated to sustainable and seasonal ingredients from local producers. Visitors should try the signature Durslade Farm Tomahawk steaks for a meal that they’ll remember long after they leave.

KEY FACTS

Transport links: Bruton station is ten minutes’ walk from the town centre and is on the Bristol to Weymouth Heart of Wessex Line. A direct service from London stops at Castle Cary and Gillingham stations, approx 15 min car ride away from Bruton. Famous for: Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery, opened in 2014, bringing contemporary art to the countryside. Avg cost of hotel room per night: £79

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